[APD] Re: Chemists: Aluminum and the Freshwater Aquarium?

[Bill Wichers <billw at waveform_net>]

> I want to add a cooling system to my tank and have devised a way to add a 
> small aluminum 'radiator' and fan. The radiator is actually an 
> all-aluminum transmission oil cooler from the local car parts store. My 
> question is: How long can I expect it to last before corrosion will cause 
> a leak? I'm willing to saw it in half after a year or so to look inside, 
> but if it might last a while longer that would be nice to know. I keep the 
> tank around neutral pH, GH and KH are average, if that makes a difference.

I haven't tried a circulating setup, but I have had a piece of aluminum 
wire in several of my tanks for over 5 years and it shows no signs of 
corrosion (I used it as a cucumber-kabob for some fish). I would imagine 
you will get many, many years out of an aluminum radiator. The thing that 
really kills aluminum is salt spray, so you wouldn't want to use a setup 
like this on a saltwater setup.

     -Bill



*****************************
Waveform Technology
UNIX Systems Administrator

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